Dr Michael Fraser

@ffinlo.bsky.social

155 Followers 92 Following

Personal account. Works in a university. Non-resident Manx 🇮🇲. Supports Ukraine 🇺🇦.

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Tweet from Michael Fraser, 12 March 2022 Nuclear deterrent: Enabling a nation state to act with impunity because they have nuclear weapons.
Screenshot of Begbroke weather showing temperature of 36.3 degrees centigrade at 1841 on 9 July 2026. Data from a personal weather station displayed via the Met Office.
Screenshot of personal weather station reading for Begbroke (Oxfordshire) at 1854 on 8 July 2026 showing a temperature of 35.1 degrees centigrade. Observation site provided via the Met Office.
"At the annual meeting of the Oxford Architectural Society, on the 13th inst., Dr. Acland said, with reference to the new Museum, that Oxford was about to perform an experiment: it was about to try how Gothic art could deal with those railway-materials-iron and glass; and he was convinced, when the interior court of this Museum was seen, with its roof of glass supported by shafts of iron, while the pillars and columns around' were composed of variously-coloured marbles, illustrating different geological strata and ages of the world, and the capitals represented the several descriptions of Floras, that it would be felt that a problem had e been solved of the greatest importance to architecture." The Illustrated London News, 30 June 1855, page 652
Race (this encompasses, nationality, ethnicity, colour and national or ethnic origins) a. Direct discrimination The introduction of a power to recover asylum costs applies to individuals who have received asylum support under immigration legislation and does not apply to British citizens. While British citizens are not required to repay welfare benefits, asylum support is provided under a distinct statutory framework to individuals who are subject to immigration control and who are not ordinarily eligible for mainstream benefits. While we identify the potential for direct discrimination on the basis of race (nationality), that is inherent in legislation relating to immigration. We rely on the limited exceptions that exist in the 2010 Act, which permits direct discrimination on grounds of race (nationality ethnic or national origins). Safeguards, including affordability thresholds, will help to ensure that no one is pushed into destitution and that the policy remains proportionate.
Map of England from the Met Office with multiple weather warnings (red, amber, yellow for heat and thunderstorms)
Screenshot of Met Office app for Oxford. "Extreme heat Now until 23:59 today Likelihood: High Impact: High Red warning: An exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely." Oxford forecast to reach 34 degrees today. Currently, at 0735, it is 23 degrees and sunny.
The Creweian oration was then delivered by the Professor of Poetry, who jocosely answered the interruptions such as "Divide," "That will do, Sir," and "Dry up," after which the prize poems were delivered in the following order: ENGLISH ESSAY. On the Symptoms of Decline in Races. By George Spencer Bower, B.A., Scholar of New. College. GAISFORD GREEK VERSE. The Hampshire Farmer's Address. By Alfred Denis Godley, Scholar of Balliol College. EARL STANHOPE'S PRIZE. On the Political Theories of Dante. By Arthur Elam Haigh. Scholar of Corpus Chris College. SIR ROGER NEWDIGATE'S PRIZE. Ravenna. By Oscar O'Flahertie Wilde, Demy of Magdalen College. The English essay was somewhat impatiently listened to, and when near the finish the author read "Our task has been a somewhat melancholy one," the merriment was immense. The Newdigate was listened to with rapt attention, and frequently applauded. At its conclusion the Vice-Chancellor rose, and dissolved the Convocation. The following is the programme of the Organ Recital by the Rev. Sir F. A. Gore Ouseley, Bart., M.A., Mus. Doc., and Walter Parratt, Esq., Mus. Bac., of Magdalen College :- Organ Solo ... Concerto in B b No. 2 Overture, "Samson" Cantabile (a) Fanfare (b) Organ Solo Sir F. A. Gore Ouseley, Bart, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Handel Handel ... ... Lemmens ... ... ... Sir F. A. Gore Ouseley, Bart ... ... God save the Queen. Oxford & Cambridge Undergraduate's Journal, 27 June 1878.
Commemoration Day At 10 o'clock the usual crush at the various inlets of the Sheldonian Theatre began, and immediately the gates were opened, in Eton par-lance a "rouge," in Rugby a "scrummage" occurred not only among the Undergraduates, but also among the "Mistresses of Hearts, who were anxious to secure good seats for viewing the conferring degrees do. &c. An appeal had been issued to their juniors by the Vice-Chancellor and Proctors to allow the proceedings to go on quietly, and not to disturb the recitations by unseemly noises, as on former occasions. At ten o'clock the ladies were admitted; there was a great crush for places; and we hear that by an oversight the Regius Professors had not their usual share of ladies' tickets. Before the usual proceedings commenced there were cheers for "Gathorne Hardy;" and the Ladies in "Blue" in "Stripes" in "Hats" and "Bonnets;" also for "the Ladies now going up the steps;" while Gladstone's name was received with mingled cheers, hisses and groans. At eleven o'clock the great doors opened, the organ pealed forth, and the Vice-Chancellor entered; behind him came the Marquis of Bute, Lord Warkworth, the Hon. G. Monckton, Lord Dalmeny, and Lord Emlyn; and next the Heads of Houses, and Proctors; followed by the Bishop of Brisbane. The Senior Proctor, Mr. Hornby, B.N.O., was loudly cheered, as was also his colleague, Mr. Thorley Wadham, who prudently prevailed on a man with a white coat to leave the room. Another obnoxious individual with a sub-fuse coat refused to budge; at last all the gallery pointed the finger of scorn at him and hissed loudly; the surrounding crowd then formed a passage, down which he was hustled to the door, where he turned round to his persecutors, and kissed his hand with the utmost serenity. The Vice-Chancellor then reviewed the events of the year, and mentioned the names of those who were to receive degrees this day, in a Latin speech. He was much interrupted by cries of "Never mind your stops; "False…
THE Oxford Undergraduate's Journal, THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1871. COMMEMORATION. CERTAIN journals have lately taken it into their heads to abuse this holiday festival of ours. We are told that it is a Saturnalia of muscularity, an occasion for extravagance, and an utter break-up of University discipline. There is about as much truth in this account as there generally is in the most telling articles of the journal especially referred to; enough to make the falsehood dangerous. A Carnival this time unquestionably is: but then it remains to be proved whether a Carnival is necessarily a bad thing. We English, who take our pleasure sadly, may be the better of a little utter relaxation and, if you will, delirium of enjoyment; nor is it usually thought that the end of an Academical year is an unfit time for the reins of authority to be loosened for a day or two. The term is properly over on Saturday; and those who stay up steal the time out of their vacation, not out of their working season. The purse-strings may surely be allowed, once a year, to follow the example of the reins of authority, and better by far that money should be spent on the innocent and comparatively unselfish amusements of this season, than in pampering the [personal gratifications of the Undergraduate during his more solitary times.]
A layer of cherries (stoned) in a dish sitting upon sugar and melted butter.
Large glass bowl of podded broad beans in foreground with neatly stacked broad beans in background (which is a garden setting). Pods were used to make stock for broad bean soup (enhanced with lovage, mint, parsley, fennel fronds and spring onions).
STATEMENT ISSUED AT 17: 30 ON 25 MAY 2026 A red flag was issued at 13:30 in response to an incident during the opening Free Practice session of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races. The session was immediately stopped and all racing activity around the Mountain Course was suspended to allow for serious incident response procedures to be enacted. The incident occurred on the exit of Parliament Square, and involved a single competitor and a number of spectators. The competitor was taken to Nobles Hospital and was reported as conscious and talking with leg injuries, and continues to receive further treatment. Eight spectators were identified as requiring treatment. All were reported as conscious, and were transferred to Nobles Hospital for further assessment and treatment. To ensure the incident was managed as effectively as possible, the decision was made to suspend any further racing activity for the remainder of the day. In accordance with the event's standard operating procedures, an investigative process is now underway involving race, medical and safety personnel. The Isle of Man TT Races would like to thank the marshals, medical teams, emergency services, Manx Care and all personnel that supported with the response to today's incident, and our thoughts continue to be with those involved. 17:39
Screenshot of local news item: 1st May 2026. UK firefightets issue urgent warning on 85,000 tumble driers. Includes picture of aftermath of fire caused by tumble drier.
Screenshot of two Bluesky posts in feed: "In communist countries around the world it's May Day" and "Oxford May Day 2026" posted by University of Oxford.
Stripey orange floof being stroked and loudly purring.
Screenshot of new email message from NYT Cooking with subject line, "It's shrimp taco time."
Long queue along Cowley Road, Oxford
Father Ted and Father Jack gif with the caption, "Thst would be an ecumenical matter".
The tactic of mass destruction of homes in Gaza, where Israel has been accused of committing genocide, was described as domicide by academics, a strategy that is used to systematically destroy and damage civilian housing to render entire areas uninhabitable. Golani Combined Combat Team Controlled detonation in Deir Seiryan - video The Israeli military has said they are targeting Hezbollah infrastructure such as tunnels and military facilities, which it claims the armed group has embedded in civilian homes, through these demolitions. Israel has said that it will occupy vast swathes of south Lebanon, establishing a "security zone" in the entire area up to the Litani River, and that displaced people would not be allowed to return to their homes until the safety of Israel's northern cities is guaranteed, prompting concern there will be long-term displacement. Rights groups, however, have said these mass remote detonations could amount to wanton destruction: a war crime. The laws of war prohibit the deliberate destruction of civilian
Wooden sign inscribed with Endurance. Nettles and woodland. Dry.
Profile image for Donald J. Trump Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump · March 21, 2026, 7:44 PM If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Stained glass church window depicting a haloed religious figure in red robes holding a staff, standing beside a kneeling haloed figure in ornate gold garments. Decorative gothic tracery surrounds the scene, with symbolic objects including a shovel and a vessel at the base. A dedication inscription at the bottom commemorates Gabriel Stokes (Curate, 1890–1897).
1953 Soviet satirical cartoon showing wealthy elites serving piles of gold coins and cash to a seated soldier labelled “war,” while nearby tables labelled schools, libraries, art, and healthcare appear neglected and under-resourced.
Black‑and‑white Giles cartoon published in the Daily Express on 22 January 1974. A cluttered family dining room shows children on the floor cutting up newspapers while adults read, cook, or sit at an overcrowded breakfast table; an elderly woman peers in through a doorway. Caption: “You’re good boys to think of paper saving, but I don’t think daddy will like you cutting up his paper before he’s read it.”
Does shock find push our love of coffee back to reign of Henry V? Guardian staff Archaeologists have discovered evidence that Britain's love of coffee may have begun hundreds of years before the first cafes began to appear in London and Oxford in the 1650s. Last year's drought allowed excavations of areas that had been underwater for decades, including Traces of coffee were found in clay cups the Ness reservoir in east Suffolk. Experts found a small number of well-preserved clay cups that were carbon dated to the 1400s. The forensic analysis also identified faint traces of coffee bean ingrained on the inside of all of the beakers. The astonishing find raises the possibility that Britons were drinking coffee 200 years before it became fashionable in high society. The US author of A History of Coffee, Macky Arto, said the discovery was one of the most significant he could remember. "We all thought coffee was brought to England as a medicinal drink from the Ottoman empire in the late 17th century," he said. "But it's quite possi-ble there was a place in Suffolk where it was being consumed centuries before. A Ness cafe, if you like." Arto said it was hard to say where the beans had come from but the president of World Bean Associa-tion, Barry Starr, said traders from Europe may have brought them with-out anyone in high society noticing. "History books only tell us what the big merchants were doing in the early 16th century, not what small traders were doing in the decades before," added Starr. "The concentration of the bean found in the cups suggests this was a strong, potent coffee, with little water and no milk. We are calling it a Ness-presso." Dr Frila Pool, who led the excava-tion and research into the cups, said: "Back in the reigns of Henry V and VI, these were flat white fields that were home to a thriving community and a village called Brew. "This research raises the possibility that this was the origin of the phrase, 'fancy a brew'. Up until no…
OLIVER PARK NATALIE MARTINS SOLAR IMPACT A dramatic movie poster titled Solar Impact showing London under catastrophic attack: fiery meteors streak from a blazing sun toward the city, flooding the Thames and engulfing the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in smoke, fire, and chaos.
Large stained‑glass window depicting three robed figures, one kneeling and two standing, set against foliage with decorative borders. A rectangular inscription panel appears below the scene, and a memorial plaque is mounted on the wall beneath the window. Text reads: ‘SAINT MAUGHOLD IS CONVERTED AND BAPTISED BY SAINT PATRICK.’ Lower text reads: ‘ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM FARRANT JP CP MHK OF BALLAMOAR WHO DIED 3RD JUNE 1891.’
Threads, which tracks the aftermath of a nuclear attack on Sheffield, was first screened on the BBC on 23 September 1984. The image depicts a uniformed traffic warden wearing a peaked cap labeled “TRAFFIC WARDEN” stands outdoors in an urban setting. His face is heavily bandaged with visible blood stains around one eye and along his cheek. He holds a rifle upright at his side, and blurred figures in winter clothing are visible in the background.
A young woman stands outside the UK Supreme Court building in London, with the court’s crest and the words “The Supreme Court” visible on the stone façade behind her. She is wearing a white T-shirt with bold black text reading “POST MILK GENERATION” and, underneath, “I went to the Supreme Court and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.” In smaller print at the bottom, the shirt cites “(Dairy UK Ltd (Respondent) v Oatly AB (Appellant), para 42).” The image references the 2025 UK Supreme Court case between Dairy UK Ltd and Oatly AB concerning the use of dairy-related terminology.
Port Meadow is a flood plain for the River Thames. The picture shows a flooded Port Meadow at twilight. Water all around, with fencing on the right to guide the eye.
Stained glass window in the church of St Bridget in Bride, Isle of Man The window depicts St Bridget ("Breeshey") in a blue cloak and white habit, holding a staff topped with a cross and a small model of a church. A red flame appears above her halo. The background is patterned in green and gold glass. At the bottom is a circular panel showing a seabird standing by water, with decorative knotwork on either side and an inscription beneath.
Yellow warning of snow Snow Thu 18:00 to Fri midday Yellow warning Storm Goretti likely to bring heavy snow leading to disruption and difficult travelling conditions. Location: Oxford (Oxfordshire) Likelihood: Low Impact: Medium Yellow Snow Further details A deep area of low pressure will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday bringing a mixture of rain, snow and strong winds.
Google Maps showing red line connecting Caracas and Guantánamo Bay
Tweet from Michael Fraser. Nuclear deterrent: Enabling a nation state to act with impunity because they have nuclear weapons. 11:03am, 12 March 2022
Bedoba Saperavi 2022. Front view of a wine bottle labeled "BEDOBA" featuring an intricate black-and-white illustration of a crowned female figure in a religious, iconographic style, surrounded by peacock feather patterns.
A festive, edible Santa hat cake resting on a rustic wooden table. The main body of the hat is meticulously covered in overlapping, translucent candied orange slices. The base and the pom-pom are made of thick white frosting studded with chopped green pistachios and orange zest. Next to the hat sits a small glass jar labeled "Santa's Secret Marmalade." The background features a cozy, blurred living room with a glowing fireplace, a decorated Christmas tree, and wrapped gifts.
"MR. EDITOR, -- I wish to avail myself, through the medium of your useful paper, of the opportunity of deprecating a custom, which I apprehend is general through this Island. However valuable it may have been in its first institution, it has of late years become so debased, that an immediate stop should be put to such nightly meetings, I mean what is commonly termed Illverries, which are held in the parish churches on Christmas Eve, and particularly in that of Kirk Braddan, for the supposed purpose of singing carrols -- but look to the consequence -- the scandalous behaviour of many during divine service -- in the sacred dome and depository of the dead; from which sanctuary, the parties -- (most of whom are composed of idle characters from the town, and servants from the neighbour-hood) -- generally retire to the public houses, and there finish the disgraceful scenes of the night and following morning, - no matter whether the sabbath or not. I trust that this hint will meet the eye of that authority who alone can prevent such insults to be offered upon an occasion that demands our warmest gratitude. I am, Sir, A PARISHIONER OF KIRK BRADDAN." Page 3 in Manks Advertiser, Thursday, December 22, 1825: https://www.imuseum.im/Olive/APA/IsleofMan/sharedpages/SharedView.Page.aspx?sk=DF7CA57F &href=MNA%2F1825%2F12%2F22&page=3
ChatGPT Please summarise https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk /media/6926ee74ce50d215cae96007 /OFF+SEN+ -+Operation+Centron+DPIA+105.25+V3.1 .pdf in the style of a tabloid newspaper article HOME OFFICE FACIAL RECOGNITION SHOCKER! PILOT SET TO SCAN FACES AT UK PORT - PRIVACY CHAOS EXPOSED IN OFFICIAL DPIA A classified Home Office document has revealed explosive details about a controversial facial recognition trial - and the fallout could hit hard on privacy. The newly finalised Operation Centron Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), version 3.1, exposes plans to use Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology on travellers entering the UK and raises big questions about personal data, children, and civil liberties. GOV.UK WHAT'S GOING DOWN? The DPIA a legally required privacy risk report - was drafted and signed off in 2025 by senior Home Office officials. GOV.UK It focuses on piloting facial recognition tech to catch people who have been deported but are trying to re-enter the UK, initially in Holyhead later this year. GOV.UK BIG BROTHER ON THE DOCKS
Closed Bonners stand in Covered Market.
Fold-out depicting the Ellan Vannin and 27 pictures of the 35 passengers and crew lost at sea on 3rd December 1909.
Selection of works by Tom Stoppard: The Real Inspector Hound HAPGOOD After Magritte EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR AND PROFESSIONAL FOUL Lord Malquist and Mr Moon ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD TRAVESTIES The Invention of Love Arcadia
XKCD depiction of Dependency All modern digital infrastructure stacks depend on a project some random person in Nebraska has been thanklessly maintaining since 2003. "Someday ImageMagick will finally break for good and we'll have a long period of scrambling as we try to reassemble civilization from the rubble."
The image shows the setup for a Google Alert. Google Alerts is a free service that sends email notifications when new content matching specific search terms appears on the web. Based on the image, the alert is set to: Search query: "samuel beckett" play OR performance OR theatre OR review. Frequency: At most once a day. Sources: Automatic. Region: United Kingdom. Results: Only the best results.
Radcliffe Observatory reflected in the windows of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.
Two carved turnips (moots) lit from within by candelight. The outline of a figure is in the foreground making it look like particularly large turnips.
"Someday ImageMagick will finally break for good and we'll have a long period of scrambling as we try to reassemble civilization from the rubble." XKCD 2347: showing stack of digital infrastructure balanced precariously on a single strut described as, "A project some random person in Nebraska had been thanklessly maintaining since 2003". Explainxkcd.com: The stack in this cartoon bears a striking resemblance to a physical block tower, suggesting the danger that the tower will lose its balance when a critical piece is removed, in this case a piece near the bottom, labeled as being maintained by a single semi-anonymous person located somewhere relatively unimportant doing it for their own unknown reasons without fame or acknowledgement. Example: The bash shell, which is used by virtually every Unix-like and Linux derivatives and that is used by many system administrators has been maintained since around 1993 by one single person from Ohio, US for over 30 years (as of 2025): Chet Ramey.
In a statement that suggests the University’s new partnership with ChatGPT is already bearing fruit, Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey said “The Life & Mind building isn’t just a world-class facility – it’s a place designed to bring people together.”
A photorrealistic image showing an electric taxi plane flying between Oxford and Cambridge. The plane has the subtle appearance of a pig.
My Life Among Wild Chimpanzees, By JANE GOODALL A courageous young British scientist lives among these great apes in Tanganyika and learns hitherto unknown details of their behavior. SUN'S FADING GLOW ON Lake Tanganyika silhouettes the author, preparing for a lonely nightlong vigil among the chimpanzees. Photographs by Baron Hugo van Lawick and the author
Screencast of the What's On page from the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities website
Atrium dome of the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.
Part of the Schwarzman Centre of the Humanities at dawn with navigation board in foreground.
Image from estate agent listing showing open but lightless entrance to basement or morgue beneath the fixer-upper or tear-down property.
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer hold hands whilst facing each other centimetres apart. Above them the words, "Tech Prosperity Deal" together with British & United States flags. Picture by Simon Dawson / Number 10 Downing Street. Date picture taken: 2025-09-18, 14:21:52.
Shot of state banquet with footman in foreground displaying double thumbs-up. Sorry if he is not actually a footman.
TITLE Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets US President Donald Trump DESCRIPTION 17/09/2025. Windsor, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania as they are hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla during the President's historic second State visit at Windsor Castle. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street DATE TAKEN 2000-01-01 00:06:12 [sic]
Can I have a "P" please, Bob? (Reference to British quiz show Blockbusters hosted by the late great Bob Holness (pictured))
Screenshot from X: Darth Putin @DarthPutinKGB The supreme art of war is to able to answer question "what air defense doing?" I remain a master strategist 8:40 PM · Aug 10, 2022